Image: Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, London
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum will present ‘Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature’ from 26 September to 21 November 2026, bringing together three major series of graphic works by the Portuguese-British artist. The exhibition is a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from London’s Southbank Centre and will be accompanied by talks, a film screening and an opening event.
The presentation focuses on Rego’s interpretations of Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’, traditional ‘Nursery Rhymes’ and J. M. Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’. According to the museum, each series will be shown alongside personal items belonging to the artist, including material that has not previously been displayed publicly. Unseen preparatory sketches, etching plates and Rego’s childhood copy of ‘Peter Pan’ are intended to give visitors a closer view of how literary sources informed her practice.
The exhibition describes Rego as an artist, printmaker and storyteller whose work transformed familiar narratives into images that were “startlingly original, rebellious and unexpected.” The selected works include pieces from the ‘Nursery Rhymes’ series, such as ‘Jack and Jill’, ‘Three Blind Mice II’ and ‘Hey diddle diddle’, as well as ‘Wendy sewing on Peter’s Shadow’ from 1992 and ‘Mr Rochester’ from 2002. The listed works are credited to Ostrich Arts Ltd and the Paula Rego Estate, with courtesy of Ostrich Arts Ltd and Cristea Roberts Gallery.
Rego’s relationship with printmaking will be explored in a talk by Paul Coldwell on 22 October, from 6.30pm to 8pm. Coldwell worked with Rego on her etchings between 1987 and 2006, including the ‘Nursery Rhymes’, ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Abortion’ prints. The museum says the illustrated talk will examine the role of printmaking within Rego’s wider practice, including her engagement with graphic traditions, changes in her working methods and the importance she placed on printmaking. Tickets are listed at £5.
A free screening of ‘Paula Rego: Secrets and Stories’ is scheduled for 12 November at 6.30pm. Directed by Rego’s son, filmmaker Nick Willing, the film presents an account of the artist’s life and work. The museum’s listing says the film includes Rego discussing experiences including fascism, misogyny in the art world and manic depression. The screening is for audiences aged 18 and over, with booking required.
The exhibition’s launch event will take place on Friday 25 September from 6pm to 8pm and is open to all. Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, operated by Rugby Borough Council, is located on Little Elborow Street in Rugby. The museum also presents local history and archaeology galleries, alongside temporary exhibitions and community programming. During the Rego exhibition, the institution has invited volunteers to support visitor engagement and has arranged school visits, noting that the gallery may be busier and noisier during those sessions. ‘Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature’ runs from 26 September through 21 November 2026.
